Tokyo surveys disputed isles in row with China

TOKYO (AFP) - A team of Japanese surveyors on Sunday sailed to a group of disputed islands in the East China Sea which the nationalistic governor of Tokyo wants to buy amid a widening diplomatic row with China.

Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara, known for his outspoken views, dispatched the team, which arrived at the island chain claimed by both countries, known in China as Diaoyu and in Japan as Senkaku.

Mr Ishihara wants to buy them from their private owners to highlight Japan's claim and build a small harbour for fishing vessels.

The 25-member team remained on their boats to survey the shoreline and waters around the rocky uninhabited isles, Japanese television showed.